Len Bates

One of the actuator industry’s most respected engineers sadly passed away on 24th August 2019 having been involved in a road traffic accident the day before whilst enjoying one of his regular cycle rides.

Len’s engineering career started with the basics – nuts and bolts – literally; making them aged 15 back in 1968 as an automatic lathe operator.

This was followed in 1970 by moving to an agricultural machinery manufacturer where he completed his apprenticeship and moved into roles within the drawing and design office.

In 1980 he joined Domgas in Thetford who designed and manufactured hydraulic and pneumatic actuators and their control systems, predominantly for the oil and gas industry.

Len applied his engineering knowledge first within the design office and later in project and contract management roles.

In 1996, after a takeover, Domgas closed, however the Score Group acquired the rights to the spares supply business due to the large installed population with many of Score’s clients.

Len joined Score at Colchester along with a “room” full of information, but more importantly brought his vast working knowledge of actuators and their control systems.

Over the years Len not only contributed greatly to the development of Score’s valve automation business but with his extensive practical and engineering knowledge was able to apply himself to the valve side of Score as well as being involved in the start of Score’s Valve Diagnostics business.

Many of the techniques Len developed in the course of his work are now standard operating procedures within Score.

Len also played a key management role in project installation and supply chain development with his eye for detail and the practicalities of manufacture.

Len was well known and respected around the actuation industry, and most notably via sitting on various ISO, CEN, BSI and BVAA actuation committees and working groups contributing to new and revised standards. Len retired from Score at the end of March 2016 after 20 years with the Company and a career spanning 48 years in engineering.

Len was enjoying an active retirement with travel and covering thousands of miles a year cycling at home and abroad with his cycling club.

Len was friendly and outgoing and had a lot of time for his friends, but most of all he was a family man. He will be sorely missed by his family, his friends, his colleagues and all who knew him.

Published: 7th November 2019